By Kingsley Omonobi
ABUJA — Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, AFN, rescued 655 kidnapped civilians, arrested 350 terrorists and criminals and neutralised 52 others across the country in September 2026, the Defence Headquarters has said.
The troops also secured the surrender of 75 insurgents, recovered 52 arms and 2,335 rounds of ammunition, dismantled eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of stolen petroleum products during the month.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists on military operations across the country.
Onoja said the Third Quarter 2026 operational data showed significant month-to-month fluctuations, reflecting the changing security situation and intensity of engagements across the various theatres.
He said that between August and September, the number of terrorists and criminals neutralised declined by 85.8 per cent, while arrests fell by 28.3 per cent, civilians rescued by 10.8 per cent, terrorist surrenders by 62.7 per cent, arms recovered by 51.9 per cent, ammunition recovered by 24.3 per cent and crude oil recovered by 55.6 per cent.
According to him, the Armed Forces nevertheless sustained operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other criminal activities nationwide.
North-East
Onoja said troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 27 terrorist fighters, arrested 49 terrorists, rescued 103 kidnapped victims and facilitated the surrender of 73 insurgents and their families during the month.
He said troops encountered a command-detonated Improvised Explosive Device, IED, along the Miyanti-Banki Junction Main Supply Route in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State on September 1, killing one terrorist and recovering a rifle, ammunition and the IED initiator.
He added that troops, supported by an Air Component helicopter gunship, repelled a large-scale terrorist advance at Gajiram in Nganzai LGA of Borno State on September 17.
Further operations around Benisheikh and Azare Village in Gujba LGA of Yobe State led to the arrest of four terrorists and the recovery of ammunition.
Onoja said troops also rescued 44 members of terrorist families, comprising 13 women and 31 children, at Konduga in Bama LGA on September 24.
He said the individuals had fled their enclaves amid clashes between rival terrorist factions.
Troops also arrested suspected terrorist collaborators, informants, spies and logistics suppliers, with items recovered including foodstuffs, medical and veterinary supplies, pharmaceuticals, a vehicle, motorcycle spare parts and cash allegedly intended for terrorists.
North-West
In the North-West, troops of Operation Fansan Yamma, supported by the Air Component, neutralised seven terrorist fighters, arrested 26 terrorists and rescued 171 kidnapped victims.
Onoja said troops conducted operations against terrorist hideouts in Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi states, recovering rifles, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a machine gun, ammunition and other items.
He said a major air operation on September 17 disrupted the movement of terrorists transporting a large number of kidnapped victims around Bazama in Sakaba LGA of Kebbi State, enabling more than 60 victims to escape.
Troops also arrested suspects conveying rustled cattle near Illela in Sokoto State and recovered N2.7 million allegedly intended for a terrorist kingpin in Faskari LGA of Katsina State.
North-Central
Onoja said troops of Operation Savannah Shield neutralised five terrorists, arrested two and rescued 27 kidnapped victims during the month.
He said troops rescued 22 kidnap victims at Muchiya Village in Rafi LGA of Niger State on September 15 and reunited them with their families.
Troops also conducted IED clearance operations in Borgu and Kaiama LGAs of Niger and Kwara states, safely defusing 12 devices.
According to him, troops also intercepted an escaped kidnap victim at Garauji Village under Babana in Borgu LGA on September 25, three days after she escaped from a terrorist enclave.
Plateau, Kaduna, Bauchi operations
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace neutralised nine terrorists, arrested 155 suspects and rescued 28 kidnapped victims during the period.
Onoja said troops rescued an abducted resident and his wife at Ateli Village in Sanga LGA of Kaduna State on September 11 and a two-year-old child abducted alongside his mother at Tayu Village on September 16.
He said troops and Forest Guards also ambushed suspected kidnappers at Kudu Yamma in Ningi LGA of Bauchi State on September 21, neutralising three and rescuing six kidnap victims.
Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba
Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke neutralised one terrorist, arrested 57 suspects and rescued 320 kidnapped victims during the month.
Onoja said troops rescued two women abandoned by kidnappers in Kogi State, as well as other victims along roads in Benue and Taraba states.
In Nasarawa State, troops rescued 18 passengers from a bus abducted at Andaha Community along the Jos-Akwanga Road in Akwanga LGA on September 26.
Troops also arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin in Lafia and recovered a locally made revolver, military-style uniforms, a vehicle and N406,200 in cash.
Niger Delta
In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe arrested 33 criminals, destroyed eight illegal refining sites and recovered more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products, including crude oil, Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, Dual Purpose Kerosene, DPK, and Premium Motor Spirit, PMS.
Onoja said troops raided a bandit camp in Edo State, arrested suspected kidnappers and recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition during separate operations.
He said troops also uncovered about 87,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil at Aworkiri and approximately 182,000 litres at Bethel Creek in Rivers State.
Similarly, personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH discovered and deactivated two illegal refining sites at Ogbogolo Community in Ahoada West LGA of Rivers State on September 25, recovering about 33,800 litres of petroleum products.
South-East
In the South-East, troops of Operation Udoka neutralised three criminals, arrested 28 suspects and rescued six kidnapped victims.
Onoja said troops dismantled an illegal bunkering site in Imo State and destroyed approximately 1,300 litres of stolen crude oil.
Troops also arrested a suspected IED fabrication expert linked to a secessionist group and recovered weapons and ammunition abandoned by suspected secessionist fighters during an encounter in Orsu LGA of Imo State.
A female kidnap victim, who had reportedly been abducted about two months earlier from her hairdressing salon, was also rescued.
Third-quarter figures
Onoja said the Armed Forces recorded 367 attacks across the various theatres of operation during the third quarter.
He said Operation Hadin Kai recorded 33 attacks, Operation Fansan Yamma 115, Operation Savannah Shield 13, Operation Enduring Peace 147, Operation Whirl Stroke 55, Operation Udoka four, while Operation Delta Safe recorded none.
According to him, during the third quarter, troops neutralised 554 terrorists and criminals, arrested 1,333, rescued 1,736 kidnapped civilians and facilitated the surrender of 333 insurgents.
The troops also recovered 244 arms and 8,160 rounds of ammunition, dismantled 104 illegal refining sites and recovered 1,610,402 litres of stolen petroleum products.
Onoja said the operational record demonstrated the resolve of the Armed Forces to create a safer environment across the country.
He quoted the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, as commending troops for their professionalism, dedication and sacrifices across all theatres of operation.
Oluyede also commiserated with personnel, civilians and families who suffered injuries, loss or hardship during the period, while commending security agencies and local security groups for their collaboration.
The CDS further acknowledged the partnership between the Armed Forces and Zinox Group in establishing an online discount store scheme for serving and retired military personnel and their families.
He said the initiative was expected to help ease cost-of-living pressures, boost morale and improve the welfare of personnel.
Oluyede urged members of the public, traditional rulers and community leaders to continue providing timely and credible information to the nearest military formation or through the toll-free line 193.
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